Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for approximately 15% of all breast cancer cases. Patients with this subtype typically have poorer outcomes compared to other breast cancers, suggesting the need for improved treatments. One new therapy being investigated at Moffitt Cancer Center involves oncolytic viruses, which infect and kill the cancer cells. In a new article published in Nature Medicine, the researchers, led by Hatem Soliman, M.D., share results from a phase 2 clinical trial of the oncolytic virus talimogene laherparepvec (TVEC) combined with standard chemotherapy in patients with early stage triple-negative breast cancer.

Patients with triple-negative breast cancer lack expression of the estrogen and progesterone receptors and have little to no expression of the protein HER2. As a result, hormone therapy and medicines that target HER2 protein receptors are not effective against this type of cancer. Standard therapy for early stage triple-negative breast cancer has been cytotoxic chemotherapy with the recent addition of pembrolizumab. However, this approach is associated with significant side effects. Many studies have shown that patients who have higher levels of immune cells within their tumors tend to have better responses to therapy. These observations suggest that agents that stimulate the immune system may be beneficial in triple-negative breast cancer.

TVEC is a modified herpes simplex 1 virus that includes coding sequences for the protein GM-CSF, which can stimulate the immune system. It is injected directly into the tumor and undergoes replication within the tumor cells, resulting in the breakdown of the tumor cell and production of tumor derived antigens. Immune cells can recognize the antigens, infiltrate the tumor and target the cancer cells for destruction. In addition, GM-CSF made by the virus acts as a beacon to help recruit immune cells to the tumor.

Scientists have developed a molecular compound that’s so effective in killing off disease-causing fungi that it’s been named after Keanu Reeves. The people of Hollywood may as well pack up and finish awards season early this year, because nothing is going to beat this honour. From The Matrix to John Wick, Keanu Reeves has shown us time and time again how much of a badass he is, and now the science world is ready to recognise him for it.

The immune system can mount crucial defenses when our bodies are threatened by pathogens. But those defenses have to be carefully contained. When processes in the human system go awry, serious diseases can result. Now scientists have learn more about how connective tissue works to control inflammatory molecules so they can act locally but don’t spread throughout the body. The findings have been reported in Nature Immunology.

Cytokines are immune signaling molecules, and they help T cells communicate. Interferon-gamma is one cytokine that plays a critical role in the elimination of bacterial and viral invaders. Scientists have discoverd that this molecule uses a sequence of four amino acids to bind to the extracellular matrix that connects cells and mediates interactions between them. Interferon-gamma gets caught in that connective tissue, and cannot spread to other areas.

There should be some vaccine against common cold because globally millions of people suffer s due to this disease.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common pathogen responsible for lower respiratory diseases in children. So far, there is no effective treatment or preventative vaccine available for RSV infection, although ribavirin and dexamethasone are commonly prescribed. Resveratrol has been shown to inhibit the replication of several other viruses, thus the effect of resveratrol on RSV-induced inflammatory mediators in 9HTEo cell cultures was evaluated, and possible mechanisms of action were explored and compared with dexamethasone and ribavirin. Incubation with resveratrol resulted in decreased IL-6 production and partial inhibition of RSV replication. Resveratrol treatment also inhibited virus-induced TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) and TANK binding kinase 1 (TBK1) protein expression. These data demonstrate the ability of resveratrol to inhibit cytokine production by RSV in airway epithelial cells, indicating that it might be a therapeutic agent with both anti-inflammatory and antiviral potential for the treatment of RSV infection.